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Epilepsy

When the electrical signals in the brain become scrambles and erratic epilepsy can occur. Recurring seizures is the result.

What is it?

When the electrical signals in the brain become scrambles and erratic epilepsy can occur. Recurring seizures is the result.

Even mild seizures may require treatment, because they can be dangerous during activities like driving or swimming.

How do I recognise it?

A seizure can produce:

Temporary confusion

A staring spell

Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs

Complete loss of consciousness

Symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. In most cases, a person with epilepsy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode to episode.

Doctors classify seizures as either partial or generalized, based on how the abnormal brain activity begins. In some cases, seizures can begin as partial and then become generalized.

Partial seizures

When seizures appear to result from abnormal activity in just one part of the brain, they're called partial or focal seizures. These seizures fall into two categories.

Simple partial seizures. These seizures don't result in loss of consciousness. They may alter emotions or change the way things look, smell, feel, taste or sound. They may also result in involuntary jerking of part of the body, such as an arm or leg, and spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, vertigo and flashing lights.

Complex partial seizures. These seizures alter consciousness, causing you to lose awareness for a period of time. Complex partial seizures often result in staring and nonpurposeful movements — such as hand rubbing, twitching, chewing, swallowing or walking in circles.

Generalized seizures

Seizures that seem to involve all of the brain are called generalized seizures. Four types of generalized seizures exist.

Prenatal injury. Fetuses are susceptible to brain damage caused by an infection in the mother, poor nutrition or oxygen deficiencies. This can lead to cerebral palsy in the child. About 20 percent of seizures in children are associated with cerebral palsy or other neurological abnormalities.

Developmental disorders. Epilepsy can be associated with other developmental disorders, such as autism and Down syndrome.

How do you treat it?

Like any disease, even if there is no cure, there is almost always something you can do to manage it and take control. There are three main areas involved in the treatment of any disease: